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Compulsive Gambling is an emotional problem that has heavy financial repercussions. Compulsive gambling is the uncontrollable urge to risk valued, whether it be money, a home or other worldly possessions in hope of gaining something of even greater value.

Gambling addiction is a serious condition that destroys lives and can become progressively worse over time. Much like alcohol and drug addiction, gambling stimulates the brain’s reward system, feeling an adrenaline rush with each win. Addicts feel compelled to take a risk in hope they will gain something greater. Losing money and possessions can drive compulsive gamblers to gamble more to gain their losses back.

It is unclear what causes gambling addiction as it tends to be a combination of environmental, genetic, and biological factors. Risk factors include mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, (OCD) obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD (attend deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Gambling addiction is found in all ages, and is more common in men than women.

Certain personality traits seem to be associated with gambling addiction. People with highly competitive, impulsive, workaholics, and easily bored personalities tend to be at higher risk to becoming addicted to gambling.

Signs of gambling disorders include:

• The need to experience the thrill of gambling with increasing amounts of money
• Needing to gamble to relieve stress, anxiety and depression
• Lying to family and friends, deteriorating relationships, both personally and professionally
• Resorting to illegal activity to obtain money to gamble
• Feeling distraught when cutting down on gambling activity
• Unsuccessfully being able to control your gambling habits
• Asking others to bail you out of financial debts due to gambling